Dear Neighbor,

Downtown has been feeling a little different lately. 

We have a couple brand new murals. We have a couple dozen new retail and food and beverage small businesses. We have a couple more police out on walking patrol. And now, with City Council approval this Tuesday, we’re ready to launch a couple new incentives to bring more office workers downtown. 

Because although Downtown is back and better on nights and weekends, we’re still struggling with a high vacancy rate in our office buildings. It may not seem like a big problem – but for our small businesses who rely on the lunch crowd and the happy hour crew, it can mean the difference between success and failure. 

So here’s the deal. New businesses that move into downtown via a four year or longer lease will receive 2 years free from the city’s business tax and two free parking passes at four large city-owned garages per 1,000 square feet leased. Tenant-purchased office space also qualifies. 

For a business with 50 employees, this incentive could save $40,000 over the next two years. For one with 600 employees, we estimate a savings of over $500,000.  

And most importantly, it could literally save small businesses by bringing back the daytime customers they’ve always relied on. On average, each office worker spends $195 every single week near where they work. So as exciting and vibrant as our downtown is on nights and weekends thanks to what we’ve been calling the “experience economy,” nothing compares to the reliability of the 9-5 workforce.

We’re hoping that this new incentive program will help sweeten the deal for big businesses and small startups who are looking to expand – and that they choose our city instead of our smaller neighbor to the north. 

So please help us out, and spread the word!

Sincerely,

Mayor Matt

Firefighter Lopez saved a family last week. He wasn’t on duty. He didn’t have to pull over. But he did anyway. That’s the kind of people we have in our Fire Department. People who will drop everything, pull to the side of the road, and save lives not because they have to, but because they know it’s the right thing to do. It was an honor to meet and thank Firefighter Lopez and his family. Learn more about his heroism here.

Last weekend, we celebrated the full launch of electric rail from San Jose to San Francisco! These beautiful new trains feel like a glimpse into our future. A future that’s happening now. We don’t have to wait to be a region that can offer opportunity to everyone and reach our sustainability goals. We’re charging full speed ahead to make that a reality today. Try them for yourself!

Last year, and the year before that, our Police Department solved every single homicide that took place in our city. If that wasn’t impressive enough, this week our detectives solved a cold case from 1987. SJPD Homicide Unit Detectives collaborated with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office Cold Case Team and, with the help of crime lab technology, solved this nearly 40-year-old case. The suspect was already in custody due to unrelated charges. Clearly, he was still a danger to society. Now, the victim’s family can find some peace, and our streets are safer with one more dangerous person behind bars. 

Not only does solving these cases lead to justice on behalf of the victims and families – it also sends a message. Actions have consequences. And in San Jose, you will be held accountable for your crimes. That certainty of consequence is why we’re the safest city in the Bay Area and on our way to being the safest city in the nation once again.

Tully East Festival

Saturday, September 28th to Sunday, September 29th at 11:00AM to 6:00PM

Eastridge Center, 2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122

Join the Tully Road Eastridge Business Association, San Jose Made, and Moveable Feast for the first annual Tully East Festival! Shop at over 150 local vendors and artists’ booths, grab a bite to eat at the food trucks, and enjoy live performances all day long. Learn more here.  

ACE Train Tickets: 49ers vs. New England Patriots

Sunday, September 29th at 1:05PM

Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie P DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, CA 95054

ACE’s special trains to 49ers games are back! Skip the traffic and enjoy a convenient, stress-free, and wi-fi equipped ride to Levi’s Stadium with fellow Faithful. With ACE’s 2024 season pass, you can get seven roundtrip tickets to the 49ers games for the price of six, starting with their face-off against the New England Patriots on Sunday, September 29th. Learn more and purchase your pass here. 

Symphony San Jose: Jon Nakamatsu and the Jazz Age

Saturday, October 5th to Sunday, October 6th

California Theatre, 345 S First St, San Jose, CA 95113

Symphony San Jose’s new season starts with a celebration of the Roaring 20s! San Jose’s own Jon Nakamatsu will perform a jazzy piano concerto, accompanied by orchestral performances from the symphony. Dress up in your best 1920s style, pop the champagne, and take a trip back to the Jazz Age. Learn more and purchase tickets here. 

The Other Mr. Lincoln: A World Premiere Musical

Thursday, October 10th to Saturday, October 12th

Hammer Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113

You’re invited to attend the world premiere of The Other Mr. Lincoln, a musical featuring a 12-piece orchestra and 11 different genres of music! Explore the tumultuous story of President Lincoln’s son and the history you only thought you knew. After the show, all attendees can enjoy a catered reception. Learn more and purchase tickets here.  

Silicon Valley Turkey Trot

Thursday, November 28th at 8:30AM

11 S 1st St, San Jose, CA US 95113

Get your tickets now and join one of San Jose’s most beloved holiday traditions–the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot! Whether you’re an elite runner, jogger, or walker, join thousands of neighbors and hit the pavement in Downtown San Jose. All event proceeds will support four local nonprofit organizations that are having a powerful impact in our community! Sign up here before event prices increase on September 28th.

We’re building bridges one paint brush at a time! The neighbors of Creekside Evergreen wanted to be proud of the gateway into their community — and thanks to our TogetherSJ program, we knew we could help make that happen! We trimmed the trees, picked up the trash, painted the bridge and brought the community closer together along the way. Join us for the next beautification project! http://bit.ly/cleansj

Alongside Councilmember Torres, we announced the expansion of our Downtown Streets Team — a program that helps our homeless neighbors access the services that will get them on the path to self-sufficiency while they clean up the streets of some of our business districts. Once a week, a dedicated team will remove trash and hazardous materials, report illegal dumping to the city, and engage in peer-to-peer outreach to homeless neighbors within the project area.

¡Viva México! Mexican Independence Day marks not just a pivotal moment in Mexican history, but a profound symbol of courage and perseverance. Thank you to Comité de Fiestas Patrias, the Consulate General of Mexico, the Latino Business Foundation Silicon Valley, and my Council colleagues for organizing this celebration and fostering cultural pride in our city.